Garments for wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment devices

Abstract

A wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment device includes a garment, a plurality of ECG electrodes and a plurality of therapy electrodes supported by the garment. A fastener is configured to secure the garment about a torso of the patient for a prescribed duration. A disengagement sensor to provides an indication of disengagement of the fastener prior to expiration of the prescribed duration in which the garment is no longer secured about the torso of the patient. The device includes a therapy delivery circuit coupled to the plurality of therapy electrodes and configured to deliver one or more therapeutic pulses. A controller coupled to therapy delivery circuit is configured to analyze an ECG signal monitored by the plurality of ECG electrodes and, upon detecting one or more treatable arrhythmias, cause the therapy delivery circuit to deliver the one or more therapeutic pulses to the patient.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 650,478 filed Mar. 30, 2018, titled “Garments For Wearable Cardiac Monitoring And Treatment Devices,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]The present disclosure is directed to garments for use with wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment devices.[0003]A wide variety of electronic and mechanical devices monitor and treat medical conditions. In some examples, depending on the underlying medical condition being monitored or treated, medical devices such as cardiac monitors or defibrillators may be surgically implanted or externally connected to a patient. In some cases, physicians may use medical devices alone or in combination with drug therapies to treat conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias.[0004]One of the most deadly cardiac arrhythmias is ventricular fibrillation, which occurs when normal...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment device that includes a garment that is designed to be worn continuously for an extended period of time. The device includes electrodes that monitor the patient's ECG signal and can provide therapeutic pulses to the patient. The device also includes a disengagement sensor that alerts the patient when the fastener securing the garment is no longer engaged. The device can be used for detecting arrhythmias and can be controlled by a controller that is integrated with the garment. The garment is made permeable to moisture and water vapor, and is comfortable to wear for at least 24 hours. The device can also include conductive threads integrated into the garment and a tensioner for tightening the garment. The device can be controlled by a user interface and can deliver therapeutic pulses to the patient.

Problems solved by technology

Normal blood flow ceases, and organ damage or death can result in minutes if normal heart contractions are not restored.

Because the victim has no perceptible warning of the impending fibrillation, death often occurs before medical assistance can arrive.

Cardiac arrest can occur when the heart experiences various arrhythmias that result in the heart providing insufficient levels of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs for the support of life.

Cardiac arrest and other cardiac health ailments are a major cause of death worldwide.

Further, patients are generally discouraged from discontinuing use of the device without consulting with their caregivers.

Moreover, the devices are configured to allow for uncomplicated assembly and disassembly as required.

Images